My four-year-old son has had a rough week. His teachers mentioned that he’s been acting a bit off lately, and I’ve noticed it at home too.
As a parent, I try not to blame myself when my kids are struggling, but I couldn’t ignore the truth: I’d been yelling more than usual, my patience was thinner, and I found myself saying, “I can’t play, mommy’s busy!” far too often.
Today, he crawled into my lap and cuddled me. He started whining, and I reminded him to use his words. In that moment, it hit me—I hadn’t been using mine.
I realized I’d forgotten to ask him if he was okay.
I’d forgotten to ask about his day.
I’d forgotten to ask why he was feeling off.
I’d simply…forgotten.
So I decided to do what I do for his older sister: I made him feel seen, loved, and special.
I told him to take off his shirt and lie down. I sliced some cucumbers and placed them gently over his eyes. I grabbed one of my soft, soothing face masks and began to massage it onto his little forehead.
And just like that, his smile appeared—bright, instant, contagious.
I sat there on his bed, massaging his face, reminding him that it’s okay to have rough weeks, and that mommy is always here. Sometimes, we all just need a small moment that helps us feel a little better, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
Every day, I’m learning how to be a more understanding parent. Because no matter your age, we all need someone to understand us, to make us feel less alone.
I started doing this because I believe conversations about mental health should start early. Anxiety and depression don’t care if you’re five, twenty-five, or sixty-five.
I lived with anxiety my entire childhood without even knowing it. I was just labeled “the weird kid.”
I want my children to know that it’s okay to feel anxious or sad, and that they are never too young to talk to me about their struggles. My kids know I’m in therapy, and I never hide it from them.
I want them to understand that caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your body, and that seeking help is always a sign of strength.
